The Vital Role of Veterans in the Workplace and How to Support Them
Veterans served and sacrificed during their military careers to protect our freedom and keep us safe. When it's time to transition to civilian work, their next mission is often to find a job that is just as fulfilling. Employers nationwide can help by considering the immense value veterans bring to the workforce and creating hiring initiatives that position them for success.
National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25 serves as a good reminder of the transferable skills that veterans bring to the civilian workforce, no matter the industry or vocation:
- Leadership: Veterans complete specialized military training to develop their leadership skills. These are tested and grow over time. Hiring a veteran means hiring someone trained to lead, even under pressure.
- Agility: Veterans develop flexibility and resilience in the military by adapting to constant change. They learn to step back, assess the situation, and adapt swiftly, especially during challenging times.
- Collaboration: Teamwork is core to success in the military. Throughout a service member's career, they work with people of different ages and backgrounds to accomplish a shared task. Veterans know the importance of achieving a collective mission.
- Risk assessment: The military trains individuals to take calculated risks by evaluating various options and selecting the best one to achieve success. This ability to assess risk, make decisions, and follow through proves valuable in civilian careers.
- Integrity and ethics: Acting morally, whether on the battlefield or on base, is a key part of being in the military. Veterans bring a high level of integrity to any job they do, holding themselves accountable to the highest ethical standards.
- Diverse Perspectives: Veterans have a broad range of experiences and backgrounds. They have encountered various situations in the military that shaped their worldview. These experiences help enhance inclusive decision-making and problem-solving in civilian workplaces.
"Veterans were trained to adapt and overcome various challenges, and those distinctive qualities are not lost as they navigate their civilian career journey," said Tom Kastner, vice president of financial wellness at Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). "We encourage employers to consider veterans for their open roles because their skills often translate well in the workplace and contribute to the success of organizations."
Supporting Wounded Warriors’ Well-Being
Hiring a veteran means you get a specially trained employee who brings valuable skills to the job. However, it’s also important to recognize the transition from military to civilian life can be difficult.
WWP’s most recent Warrior Survey* shows that of the nearly 7% of warriors who are unemployed, the top two reported barriers to unemployment are mental health or psychological distress and difficulty translating military skills to the civilian workforce.
Employers can help address these challenges by providing services that promote veterans’ holistic well-being. Mentoring programs, access to mental health and wellness resources, and comprehensive training and development can go a long way in setting veterans up for success.
Johnson & Johnson, for example, established the Veterans Leadership Council to help veterans connect, network, and grow. The council also advocates for veterans' health and wellness needs.
Championing Veteran Recruitment and Workplace Inclusion
WWP's Warriors to Work® program helps civilian employers realize the benefits of bringing warriors into their companies, while helping wounded warriors and their families transition to the civilian workforce and find meaningful careers.
Veterans in the program gain essential job-seeking skills at no cost, such as career counseling, resume writing assistance, interview preparation, certification assistance, coaching on networking and salary negotiation, and ongoing support throughout their employment.
In addition, Warriors to Work helps employers find veteran candidates and provides education and information about the transferrable skills veterans bring to the civilian workforce. The program also helps companies develop onboarding processes and provides advice to help increase retention.
Veterans served proudly, and many are ready to take the next step by finding a civilian career. The unique skills veterans bring into the workplace illustrate why they are great employees and how they can grow your business. Expanded recruitment efforts and strong veteran employee programs can help companies thrive in today's ever-changing workplace.
Learn how you can become a more veteran-friendly employer.
Contact: Gracie Scribner, Public Relations, gscribner@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.489.5295
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.
*Warrior Survey, Wave 2 (conducted June 15-Aug. 24, 2022)
Transitioning from military life to civilian life can be a significant change for veterans but also an opportunity for a new beginning. Things like finding a new job or career, adjusting to...
Getting a resume ready for an employer to review is one of the most important steps when job hunting. For some, this can be a challenge ...
Warriors face challenges with adapting their military skills in a civilian workforce that is often not prepared to help veterans thrive. For women warriors, this can be even more difficult....
Like many other veterans, Arnulfo Dauto found it difficult to adapt to civilian life. In the service, there was a defined mission, built-in camaraderie, and an overwhelming sense of purpose....